JAPAN

Japan is situated in northeastern Asia between the North Pacific and the Sea of Japan. The area of Japan is 377,873 square kilometers, nearly equivalent to Germany and Switzerland combined or slightly smaller than California. Japan consists of four major islands, surrounded by more than 4,000 smaller islands.

Attractions

Shimabara CastleNagasaki

Shimabara Castle (Shimabara-jo) was built by Matsukura Shigemasa, the daimyo of this region, in around 1618. The five-tiered donjon soared above the grounds, with dimensions of 380 m east to west and 1,320 m north to south. Shigematsu Matsukura was known for harshly repressing the Christians within his territory. That repression lead to the biggest civil uprising by Christians - the Shimabara Rebellion - which occurred between 1637 to 1638. About 37,000 Christians took part in this war and many people died. The present castle structures were rebuilt in 1963 and the white walled, five-tiered donjon rises beautifully above the stone walls.